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Should Humans Consume Red Meat?

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Should Humans Be Consuming Red Meat?
Michael Richard
DeVry University

If you were the dominate species on top of the food chain what would you eat? Though the question is broad, humans ask themselves this question subconsciously on a day to day basis. It so happens that we as human beings are quite nestled at the top of the food chain as we speak. With the plethora of resources on this planet to consume at our fingertips such as: fruit vegetation, fish, chicken and red meat, what would be the best choice? Take in to account that not all sources of food would be beneficial to human longevity, which source of food would be better for human vitality and longevity? Fruits and vegetables, fish and lean meats would be the best route to go when choosing a meal but red meats, contrary to belief may not be the best option when making a selection on what’s for dinner. Should we as humans be consuming red meat? Though humans are classified as carnivores and herbivores, there are several healthy alternatives to the consumption of red meat. Many believe the consumption of red meat is the way it has always been but there are those who believe the opposite. Studies and tests of human physiology on red meat consumption in recent years have provided substantial evidence to support the potential hazards and life threatening consequences to red meat consumption.

To understand why red meats may not be the best choice for human consumption, the education of the history of humans and their initial association with red meats must be taken in to account. Did humans always eat red meat? Contrary to what many skeptics on this matter believe, the answer to this question is no; humans have not always eaten red meat. According to Dr. J. Mc Dougall of nealhendrickson.com, the origins of meat in the human diet began with our ancestors among the hunter-gatherer period of human evolution over 10,000 years ago. This time in history before the development of agricultural tools and communities, man predominantly ate what his environment provided i.e. seafood, fruits, nuts and eggs. It was not until resources became scarce that man had to turn to an alternative source of protein and nutrition more available at that time. At that time in history the American buffalo and other wild game were rich in quantity and this proved to be the source of nutrition that man needed. However, take into account “needed” it was only out of survival of the species that man underwent such a change in their diet.
Now 10,000 years have passed and meat has secured its place at the top of the human diet. Meat consumption among Americans has risen 47% since 1950 according to information obtained from Dr. Pearson of LiveStrong.com. Along with this increase in meat consumption the number of red meat illnesses has increased as well. Heart Disease, colon cancer, Alzheimer’s and rheumatoid arthritis have all been linked to the consumption of red meat. The effects of red meat on the human heart and the consequences thereof can be found around the world. Here in the United States heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans. High levels of cholesterol found in red meat are the primary culprit linked to heart disease. The fatty acids also found in red meat not only have the ability to clog arteries and shut down the heart, they also affect the neural system. Nutritionists from all walks of life including physicians who contribute to LiveStrong.com all agree on the diagnosis of such illnesses. The hazards of red meat consumption can be viewed in researched site after site. HealthGoodness.com posted an article on the web specifically linking red meat to heart disease among humans. Due to the high saturation of fat in red meat, human cholesterol is again the culprit which leads to an increased risk of hypertension among humans which ultimately leads to heart disease or coronary disease. These facts are not meant to scare any meat consumers but rather make you aware of what is being put into the human body and the hazards that come with it. Although there are many potential harmful side effects, there are also potential benefits of eating red meat. According to WorldHealth.net red meat is rich in certain nutrients such as iron, proteins, and Vitamin B. These nutrients are vital to human physiology and are necessary for the human body to properly function. Needless to say, these very same nutrients can be found in other sources of food. Iron can found in fruits, vegetables, dried beans, nuts and grain products. Proteins can also be found in milk, eggs and other dairy products. Peanut butter, nuts, oats and rice are other reliable and plentiful sources of protein besides meat. Fish and poultry are also viable sources of protein and healthy alternatives to red meat consumption. Man has been always had fish and other lean meats as a part of their diet, however red meat in recent years has proved to be more convenient choice. Creating an alternative diet to red meat consumption is easy and accessible if one chooses to forego the 10,000 year old habit of eating red meat. Although, the facts and alternatives are present, education on the benefits of excluding red meat from human diet is up to the individuals themselves. The debate will continue and the facts will continue to surface about the consumption of red meat. Whether one is a vegan, vegetarian or just a plain ole carnivore, the question of whether eating red meat is harmful or harmless to human physiology can only be derived from the facts of past and present.
The consumption of red meat is not just a habit which has rooted itself in human culture for 10,000 years. Rather, eating meat has become a way of life for some, a way of life based on academic and scientific research that may be jeopardizing human life itself. The facts and studies on red consumption continue to surface by the day. More and more humans are becoming aware to these facts and educated and conscious decisions must be made for the longevity of humans and their dominance on top of the food chain. Humans may be able to consume whatever they please, but whether what is consumed can be beneficial or hazardous to human life is a question all must ask. Ignorance on this issue as research has shown may be life threatening.

References

1. Nealhendrickson.com, M.C. Dougall, J. (2003, July) Meat in the Human Diet. Retrieved from http://www.nealhendrickson.com/mcdougall/030700pumeatinthehumandiet.htm 2. LiveStrong.com, Pearson, O. (2011, June 13) Cons of eating meat. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/469655_cons_of_eating_meat/ 3. Healthgoodness.com, Bernstein, A. (2010, August 16) Heart Disease and Red Meat. Retrieved from http://www.healthandgoodness.com/article/heart-disease-red-meat.html

4. Worldhealth.net (2009, July 10) Red meat increases risk of heart disease. Retrieved from
http://www.worldhealth.net/study_of_half_million_adults_links_increase/

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